An estimated 37 million people are in need of emergency food assistance and 1.2 million children under five are severely malnourished in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen due to ongoing drought and conflict. Outbreaks of diarrheal disease, including Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD)/cholera, further worsen the situation. Children suffering from acute malnutrition are more susceptible to developing diarrheal diseases that commonly last longer and are more severe, putting them at greater risk of mortality.

Funding, Malnutrition, and Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD)/Cholera

Protracted drought in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia and conflict in South Sudan and Yemen, exacerbated by disease, has worsened food security and malnutrition.

Ethiopia: 8.5 million people need food aid, in addition to 8 million chronically food insecure.

Kenya: About 5.6 million people need humanitarian assistance.

Somalia: Drought has internally displaced 860,000 people, a population with high acute malnutrition levels.

South Sudan: Over 1.7 million people are on the brink of famine.

Yemen: Breakdown of health, water and sanitation infrastructure has contributed to over 650,000 suspected cases of cholera; 60% of the population is food insecure.